Secretary General of Congress Discusses Decentralisation and Climate Change in Montenegro

12-10-2023

Sofía Medina Sánchez 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence 

On the 10th of October, the Secretary General of Congress Mori undertook a trip to Kotor and Podgorica in Montenegro, where he emphasised the crucial role of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the positive influence its implementation has on Council of Europe Member States. He expressed his gratitude to national and local public authorities for their active involvement in the recent monitoring mission of the Charter by the Congress.

During his visit, Secretary General Mori held meetings with key figures, including Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic, the leadership of the Montenegro delegation to the Congress, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UMM), NALAS (Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe), and ZELS (Association of the Units of Local Self-Government of the Republic of North Macedonia).

To underscore the significance and outcomes of decentralisation, Secretary General Mori participated in the Western Balkans CORE2023 conference in Kotor, Montenegro, titled “Growing Smart and Green: Local, Regional, European.” During his address, he highlighted the essential role that local and regional authorities play in addressing climate change. He underscored the Congress’s efforts to support the transition of local and regional authorities toward more environmentally friendly practices and policies, with reference to the revised European Urban Charter set for adoption at the 45th Congress Session in October 2023.

Furthermore, the Secretary General emphasised the role of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in empowering local authorities with the tools and authority to enact change. He also pointed out that approximately two-thirds of climate change mitigation measures are executed at the local level.

Society cannot continue to ignore the reality of climate change and its effects. These speeches and meeting are essential in raising awareness throughout Europe. 

Sources and further reading: 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, Congress Secretary General talks decentralization and climate change in Montenegro, 10 October 2023: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/congress-secretary-general-talks-decentralization-and-climate-change-in-montenegro. 

European Charter of Local Self-Government, ETS No. 122, Treaty open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe 15 October 1985, Entry in force 1 September 1988: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=122